Savings bank



Dec. l5, 1964 N. B. LERNER 3,161,351

SAVINGS BANK Filed Jan. 9, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet l N. B. LERNER Dec. 15, 1964 SAVINGS BANK 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 9, 1963 '0%' cunzTERS I r Nl United States Patent O 3,161,351 SAVNGS BANK Nathan E. Lerner, Chicago, lill., assigner to Hamid il. Spector and Raymond l5. Spector, doing business Superior Toy Mtg. Co., a co-partnership Filed Sian. 9, i963, Ser. No. 259,427 il Claims. (Cl. Z32--5 This invention relates to a bank, and more particularly to a savings bank especially suitable for accommodating coins of various denominations and designed to stimulate the savings habit among children as well as adults.

Numerous small savings banks have been on the market for many years, but in View of their structural design they are beset with one or more shortcomings, such as (u) they are of delicate construction and readily susceptible to damage; (b) they are unable to accommodate coins of varying denominations; (c) they are ydifficult and awkward to open and close; and (d) they are of expensive, bulky, and unattractive construction. In addition these prior constructions did not readily indicate to the saver the amount of money disposed within the bank and thus the saver was not stimulated to watch his or her savings grow.

Accordingly, it is one of the objects of this invention to provide a savings bank which is not beset with the aforenoted shortcomings, and yet combines economy of manufacture with quality and attractiveness.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a savings ban: which contains a plurality of vertical compartments suitable for accommodating several size coins in such a way that coins may not be accidentally removed from the bank when the latter is subjected to abusive handling.

lt is a still further object of this invention to provide an effective, but inexpensive, key actuated locking mechanism which is embodied in the support for the housing having coinaaccomrnodating compartments.

lt is a still further object of this invention to provide a savings bank with the housing provided with the coinaccomomdating compartments fabricated from a transparent material and mounted for rotation about a vertical axis.

lt is a still further object of this invention to provide a savings bank which is possessed of stability regardless of the quantity of coins accommodated thereby.

Further and additional objects will yappear from the description, accompanying drawing and appended claims.

l In carrying out this invention in one form, a hollow, octagonally-shaped outer housing open at both ends is provided which is preferably of a transparent material. Disposed within the housing is a divider which cooperates with the interior surface of the housing to form a plurality of symmetrically arranged coin-accommodating compartment-s. The compartments are of various configurations so that each is adapted to accommodate a coin of a particular, yet ditferent, denomination (ie. penny, nickel, dime, quarter, etc.). Adjacent the upper end of each cornpartment and in communication therewith is a slot which is formed in the exterior surface of the housing. Each slot is `sized so as to permit coins of a, particular denomination to readily pass therethrough into the adjacent pocket. Means cooperates with each slot so as to permit coins to pass therethrough in only one direction. A cover overlies the upper ends of the housing and divider and cooperates therewith to form a unitary structure or assembly. The assembly is removably mounted on a pedestal which in turn is mounted for rotary movement on ay base. The base includes a locking means which, when in one position of adjustment is adapted to xedly retain the assembly on the pedestal and, when in a second position of adjustment is adapted to permit the assembly 3,lhl,35l Patented Hee. l5, 1964 ice to become disengaged ffrom the pedestal whereupon the lower end of each compartment is exposed to permit the coins accommodated in the compartments to be removed therefrom.

For a more complete understanding of this invention, reference should now be made to drawings herein.

FG. l is a perspective view of the improved savings bank showing a plurality of coins accommodated therein.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the bank of FIG. 1 whereby the locking mechanism is exposed.

FG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIGURE 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a keyfor actuating the locking mechanism.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line S-S of FIGURE l.

FlG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view of one of the compartment slots and showing a portion of a coin in dotted lines about to pass therethrough.

FIG. 7 is similar to FlG. 6 but showing the coin passing through the slot.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are enlarged Ifragmentary plan views,r lpartially in section, of the locking mechanism shown, respectively, in unlocked and locked positions.

FlG. l() is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the printed insert which serves to restrict passage of coins in only one direction through the compartment slots.

FIG. l1 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of the `upper slotted ends of the compartments and showing the insert of FG. l0 in assembled relation with the housing and divider.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIGS. l and 3, an improved bank 2t) suitable for saving coins of different denominations is shown. The bank comprises an open-ended outer housing or shell 2l preferably forrned of a transparent plastic material. The housing 21 in the illustrated embodiment has an octagonal configuration in cross-section. Disposed within the housing is an elongated divider or spider 22. which cooperates with the faceted interior surface of the housing to form a plurality of symmetrically arranged compartments or cavities 23, 2d, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30 and 31. Each compartment extends the full length (height) of the housing 21 and is sized to accommodate a coin of a selected denomination (i.e. penny, nickel, dime, quarter, half dollar, or dollar). Two or more of the compartments may be of the same size so as to accommodate coins of the same denomination (i.e. compartments 24 and 31, FIG. 5). The compartments are separated from one another by radially extending linger-like partitions 22a. rl`he distal end of each partition terminates adjacent the interior surface of the housing. One of the partitions 22a, see FIG. 3, has a lug 22'@ which projects outwardly a slight amount and contacts the interior surface of housing 2l. The purpose of this lug will be described more fully hereinafter. The inner ends of the partitions 22a are interconnected so as to form a hollow hub section 22b, see FIG. 5. The upper end of the housing 21 and divider are covered over by a cover piece 32, which is preferably formed of a chrome-plated metal s0 as to `provide a highly decorative appearance. A peripheral flange 32a is provided on cover piece 32 which overlies the exposed upper surface of the housing 2l. The center of cover piece .352 is' provided with an opening 3211 through which projects outwardly a kob 33. The function of the knob will be described more fully hereinafter.

Depending from knob 33 is an elongated rode 34, which, passes through the hollow interior of hub 22h. The lower end of the hub is closed except for a relatively small opening 22e through which the rod 34 passes. The lower end of rod 3d terminates with a locking mechanism 35, to be described more fully hereinafter, and is' provided with an enlarged collar 34a. Spaced longitudinally above lcollar 34a isr a' rst protuberance 34h which is impa'ss# 'v able relative to hub opening 22C and a second protuberance 34c, see FIG. 3, which is disposed within a peripheral slot22v'c formed in one side of opening 22C. Protuberance 34k, andrslot 22-c-cooperate to permit the housing and divider to be rotated as a unit about the rod asy an axis.

It will be noted in FIG. 3 thatthe. upper end 34d of rod 34 is press fit into knob 33. If desired, however, once the divider- 22, housing 21, cover 32, and a ltransparent insert 36, see FIG.r 10,l have been brought into assembled-relation andthe rodv 34 passed through hub l opening 22C until the rod protuberance 34b 'contacts' theun'derside: offtlielower end ofA hub, the knob-33 and upper end 34d or the rodmay be permanently assembled.

The transparent insert 36 is preferably formed of a thinpsheet of relatively stitf,yet bendable, plastic material. The-sheet isV adapted to be bent so as to conform to the interior surface configuration of vhousing 21. 36, subsequent to being bent, is positioned intermediate the outer periphery of divider 22 and the interior surface of housing 21 and is held therebetween by friction. The upper edgey of insert 36v isV provided with a plurality lof spaced projections 36a., Intermediate one pair of projections 36a is a slotted projection y37,v see FIG. 10, the slot 37a of which' is adapted to accommodate the divider lug 22'@ when the insert 36 is'in assembled relation with the divider and housing. The slot and lug arrangement is provided so as to insure that the insert 36 will always assume a predetermined position whereby the. projections 36a will be centrally aligned with respect tothe comparte ments; Y

Vertically aligned with each projection 36ay are calibrated indicia 38 which are preferablyprinted on one surfaceof'insert 36; see FIG. l0. When the insert'36 is assembled'with the divider and housing, the indicia 38 will.

lineup withpredetermined compartments 23-28, 30, 31

The insert" d having a center opening 42e through which the lower Vencl of the rod 34`extends.

Depending from the outer periphery of surface 42a is a continuous flange 42d which is adapted to engage the the supporting surface upon wh-ich the bankis placed. A second shorter depending annular flange 42e is formed on the underside of surface 42a.

Disposedwithin the'area delimitedby second flange 42e and slidably engaging'shoulder 42j is a iiat cam p-iece 43 formed preferably of metallicmaterial, see'FIGS' 8 andV 9. The outer periphery' of' cam piece 43- isof a uniform annular configuration, except for an' arcuate segn1ent43a which is recessed to accommodate stop lug 42g. Thev arc of segment 43a in the illustrated embodiment is approximately ninetyl (90) degrees, thus permitting the cam p iece 43 tobe rotated through such an arc about the center431 of thepiece as an axis. Y

Arranged substantially diametrically opposite periphj eral segment 43a andv spaced inwardly of` the cam peand` indicate .theLamOunt 'ofl coins which are accom'- rnodated'in stacked relation' within a' given compartment. As' seen'more clearly'in FIGS. l, 6, and y7., the housing 21' ispprovided, adjacent the upper end thereof with a pluralityof symmetrically arranged' slotslZla; each slot communicates' with a given compartment formed by dif vider 22 andthe interior surface of housing 21. The

fslots' 21av permit coins 40, see FIG. 7, to readily pass therethrough into' the corresponding' compartment.. It

will'benoted'in FIG. 6, that an insert projection 3621 extends above thelower portion of the slot 21al and thus,v

prevents a coin, once accommodated within the compartment,gfrom accidentally fallingV out of the compartment throughfthe slot when the bank is vigorously shaken in an Y inverted position; The function of each insert projection 36a is akin' to that 'of a' one-way valve. T he resiliencyof i the material utilized'informing` the insert is such that the A projections maybereadily bent to a substantially horizontalposition'as the coin passes-through the slot 21a; see

FIG; 7.

The lower ends of the coin compartments 23-28, 30, andf31fare'closedbya pedestalpiece or saucer-like mem'- ber 41'. The peripheral configuration of piece 41'is the same as cover32V and is'provided with an upstanding.

flange 41a which overlies the .lower exposed surface of housing'21. The centerV of piece 41 isprovided with an oversized opening 41`b through which the lower collared end'342z1`o'f rod' 34 extends. 34a.is` rem'oved'from lockingimechanism 35', piece 41V` may be removed from thev bottom of the housing, whereupon the accommodated coins may bevreadily withdrawn from the .various compartments while/the housingZl, divider 22,1cover`piece 32, rod34,knob 33, and insert-36 remain in assembled relation.

The; locking mechanism 35, previously mentioned, is mountedwithin a hollow base 42. The uppery surface 42aof` the' base is provided witharaised spindle 421)v When the rod end collar riphery isv an arcuate slot 43e.

Vvided in'tlie underside ofl surface 42a.

from the housing 21. In FIG. 9, the cam' piece 43 has' been rotated in a clockwise direction through an are of approximately 90 whereby the locking mechanism 35 and they rod 34 are in interlocking relation.

To effectretention of the cam piece 43 in its lockingv position, see FIG. 9, a spring'loaded detent 44 is pro- The detent is adapted vtofrreleasably engage an opening'43'e formed in lcam piece 43.

Rotation of cam piece 43 is effected by a key 45, see FIG.V 4, which isV providedwith a pair of spaced tongues 45a.V Thesetongues-v are adapted to engage a pair -of spaced apertures 431" formed incam piece 43 adjacent the Y center 43`b thereof. The tongues 45a are formed on the distal end of an elongated neck section 45b, the latter constituting a part of key 45;*

Cam piece 43 isheld inplace against shoulder 42j by a'disc shape member 46adhesively affixed tothe interior `'surface of flange 42e. Member 46 is provided with an upstanding annularl iiange 46awhich is spacedinwardly ar slight amount from the outer periphery thereof so as toy .form aledge 45b which contacts shoulder 42h, see FIG.

3. The height of flange 46a is'such that-itengages the undersideof cam `piece 43 but not with such force as to yinterfere -with the rotational movement of the piece by key 45. YFurthermore theV area delimited by flange 46a Vforms a cavity 47 which is adapted to accommodate end collar 34a when it is inassembled relation with the locking mechanism 35.

Disc member-46 isV alsovprovded with a central open-A ing 46c through which the neck section 45b and'tongues 'I 45a of the key are adapted to pass so that the tongues will engage theapertures 43j. l

The base 42 may be formed of sturdy moldedA plastic material or of metal, if desired. While the housing 21 isY illustrated as having an' octagonal configuration, it is to be understood of course that the invention isnoty limited .to this particular shape but may assume variousoher shapes-depending upon individual tastes. Likewise the It will be notedin- `FIGS?. and 3 that the center of curvature of ange 42e exterior shape of base ft2 may be different from that shown and will be such as to complement the shape of the housing 2l.

Thus it will be seen that a simple, attractive, inexpensive, and sturdy savings bank has been provided. Furthermore because of its unique construction, the device acts to stimulate the savings habit among children as well as adults. The bank by reason of its construction is readily capableof accommodating coins of varying denominations.

While a particular embodiment of this invention is shown herein, it will be understood, of course, that the invention is not to be limited thereto, since many modiiications may be made, and it is, therefore, contemplated by the appended claims to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

I claim:

1. A savings bank for coins and the like comprising a base, a rotatably adjustable locking mechanism mounted on said base, and a compartmented coin-accommodating unit mounted upright on said base; said unit including an elongated depending element accommodated by said locking mechanism and in interlocking engagement therewith, when said mechanism is in one position of adjustment, and disengageable from said mechanism, when the latter is in a second position of adjustment whereby said unit is detachable from said base, the longitudinal axis of said depending element being offset with respect to the rotary axis of said locking mechanism, and a plurality of compartments arranged in upright substantially parallel spaced relation, a corresponding one end of each compartment being closed by a removable member, said member being removable from said compartment one end to expose said compartment interior, only when said depending element is disengaged from said locking mechanism and said base, each compartment being provided with an entrance through which a coin is capable of passing.

2. A savings bank for coins and the like comprising a base, an adjustable locking mechanism mounted on said base, and a compartmented coin-accommodating unit mounted on said base for rotation about an upright axis; said unit including an elongated depending element coaxial with said rotary axis, said element being accomrnodated by said mechanism and in interlocking engagement therewith, when said mechanism is adjusted independently of said element to one position of adjustment, and disengageable from said mechanism, when the latter is adjusted independently of said element to a second position of adjustment whereby said unit is removable from said base, a plurality of coin-accommodating upright compartments arranged in spaced substantially parallel relation and symmetrically about the longitudinal axis of said depending element, a corresponding one end of each compartment being closed by a removable member, the latter being removable from said compartment one end to expose said compartment interior, only when said unit is removed from said base, each compartment having an exposed outer wall provided with means for observing the interior of such compartment, each compartment being provided with an entrance through which a coin is capable of passing in only one direction.

3. The bank recited in claim 2 wherein the exposed outer wall of each compartment is transparent throughout substantially the entire height of said compartment.

4. The bank as recited in claim 3 wherein each exposed outer compartment wall is provided with calibrated indicia extending substantially the full height of said wall.

5. The bank recited in claim 1 wherein the unit cornprises a hollow member open at its lower end and having the interior thereof provided with a plurality of coinaccommodating compartments, each compartment having an exposed outer wall through which the interior of the compartment can be observed, an entrance for each compartment formed in the outer wall thereof and adjacent the upper end of said housing, and coin-contacting resilient means disposed within each entrance for permitting movement of a coin through such entrance only in a direction toward the interior of the compartment.

6. The bank recited in claim 1 wherein said unit is mounted for rotation relative to said base about said elongated depending element as an axis.

7. The bank recited in claim 1 wherein said unit includes a central section provided with a plurality of upright symmetrically arranged coin-accommodating compartments, each compartment having an exposed transparent outer wall and an entrance through which a coin is capable of passing in only one direction, a top section overlying and closing oir the upper ends of all of said compartments, a removable bottom section sub'tending said central section and closing on the lower ends of said compartment; said bottom section being removable rom said central section, only when said unit is detached from said base, whereby the in'terior of each compartment is exposed to permit removal therefrom of coins accommodated within said compartments.

8. The bank recited in claim 1 wherein said locking mechanism includes a hollow body portion mounted beneath the upper surface of said base, said base upper surface being provided with an opening communicating with the interior of said body portion and through which the unit depending element extends; an apertured cam piece mounted within said body portion for limited rotation about a vertical axis offset from, but parallel to, the longitudinal axis of said depending element, an aperture of said cam piece being of arcuate configuration and in continuous registration with said base surface opening and slidably accommodating said depending element, one terminal of said arcuate aperture being enlarged whereby said depending element is vertically adjustable only when said element is disposed at said one terminus; and manually adjustable means engageable with said cam piece to effect limited rotation thereof.

References Cited by the Examiner UNETED STATES PATENTS 1,442,347 1/23 Kusel L 232-5 2,421,577 6/47 Pirrung 232-4 FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE 0F CORRECTION Patent No., 3, 161,351 December 15, 1964 Nathan B. Lerner It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 2, line 65, for "kob" read knob line 67, for "rode" read rod column 3, line 16, for "or" read of Signed and sealed this 13th day of April 1965n (SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER EDWARD J. BRENNER Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. A SAVINGS BANK FOR COINS AND THE LIKE COMPRISING A BASE, A ROTATABLY ADJUSTABLE LOCKING MECHANISM MOUNTED ON SAID BASE, AND A COMPARTMENTED COIN-ACCOMMODATING UNIT MOUNTED UPRIGHT ON SAID BASE; SAID UNIT INCLUDING AN ELONGATED DEPENDING ELEMENT ACCOMMODATED BY SAID LOCKING MECHANISM AND IN INTERLOCKING ENGAGEMENT THEREWITH, WHEN SAID MECHANISM IS IN ONE POSITION OF ADJUSTMENT, AND DISENGAGEABLE FROM SAID MECHANISM, WHEN THE LATTER IS IN A SECOND POSITION OF ADJUSTMENT WHEREBY SAID UNIT IS DETACHABLE FROM SAID BASE, THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SAID DEPENDING ELEMENT BEING OFFSET WITH RESPECT TO THE ROTARY AXIS OF SAID LOCKING MECHANISM, AND A PLURALITY OF COMPARTMENTS ARRANGED IN UPRIGHT SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL SPACED RELATION, A CORRESPONDING ONE END OF EACH COMPARTMENT BEING CLOSED BY A REMOVABLE MEMBER, SAID MEMBER BEING REMOVABLE FROM SAID COMPARTMENT ONE END TO EXPOSE SAID COMPARTMENT INTERIOR, ONLY WHEN SAID DEPENDING ELEMENT IS DISENGAGED FROM SAID LOCKING MECHANISM AND SAID BASE, EACH COMPARTMENT BEING PROVIDED WITH AN ENTRANCE THROUGH WHICH A COIN IS CAPABLE OF PASSING. 